Peninsula girls return a number of varsity players

Team needs to remain healthy throughout season

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

The Peninsula Seahawks girls basketball team returns three of its five starters from a team that finished 11-10 and reached the Class 3A West Central District tournament last year.

Guard Taylor Helwig and post Ashley Rogers graduated, but players like senior Cleo Hagen and junior Jacqueline Jordan are excited to step up and fill the positions.

Hagen, the team’s only true post player, said her role is important as ever this season.

“We all need to step it up if we plan on having a successful season,” she said. “The team isn’t as deep, but we’ve been working hard on conditioning.”

Peninsula head coach Ann Lovrovich said the Seahawks will need to avoid injuries and play smart defense.

“Nothing much has changed (from last year),” Lovrovich said. “We’re just not as deep as last year.”

Peninsula’s playoff run came to an end at the district level last year against Auburn Mountainview.

This year, senior point guard Jordan Stewart, junior guard Hannah Lekson and senior Kayla Erickson will anchor the Seahawks’ starting lineup.

Stewart said the team was stronger on the inside last year, but she’s confident Hagen will help make up for Rogers’ loss.

“The harder we work, the harder we’ll play, the better we’ll do,” said Stewart, who was fourth in the 3A South Puget Sound League in scoring last year. “This year, we need to work on playing the entire game.”

Lovrovich said Jordan, a versatile player who can play post or guard, will see an expanded role in Helwig’s absence.

Jordan said she’s excited to get more varsity playing time.

“I think we have a pretty good team this year with some new people,” Jordan said. “We’re conditioning a lot more.”

Because the Seahawks aren’t as deep, Lovrovich said conditioning going into their first game will be important. Peninsula plays at crosstown rival Gig Harbor at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, then plays its first home game at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 against White River, a team that reached the state tournament last season.

Lovrovich brought in Seatac firefighter Corden Council to emphasize applied metrics, core training, speed and endurance workouts at the end of practices.

Erickson and Stewart both were second-team all-league selections last year. Erickson led the league in blocks and was second in the league in rebounding.

Peninsula girls basketball

Coach: Ann Lovrovich

2008 division champs: White River

Key losses: Taylor Helwig and Ashley Rogers

Key returners: Jordan Stewart, Kayla Erickson and Hannah Lekson

Biggest upside: Strong returnees

Captains: Erickson, Stewart and Cleo Hagen

Coach prediction: Top four in Class 3A South Puget Sound League

Teams to watch: White River, Auburn Mountainview and Bonney Lake

Peninsula girls basketball schedule

Saturday at Gig Harbor 5:15 p.m.

Dec. 4 vs. White River 7 p.m.

Dec. 8 at Bonney Lake 7 p.m.

Dec. 11 vs. Sumner 7 p.m.

Dec. 12 vs. Timberline 7 p.m.

Dec. 15 at Enumclaw 7 p.m.

Dec. 17 vs. Capital 7 p.m.

Jan. 5 vs. Clover Park 7 p.m.

Jan. 8 at Auburn Mountainview 7 p.m.

Jan. 12 vs. Lakes 7 p.m.

Jan. 15 at Franklin Pierce 7 p.m.

Jan. 19 at White River 7 p.m.

Jan. 22 vs. Bonney Lake 7 p.m.

Jan. 23 at Sumner 7 p.m.

Jan. 26 vs. Enumclaw 7 p.m.

Feb. 2 at Clover Park 7 p.m.

Feb. 4 vs. Auburn Mountainview 7 p.m.

Feb. 9 at Lakes 7 p.m.

Feb. 12 vs. Franklin Pierce 7 p.m.